The Podcast Academy Awards has announced the nominees for its third annual Ambie Awards, celebrating excellence in podcasting. A whopping 12 Audible Original podcasts were nominated for 18 awards across 12 categories, led by scripted series Moriarty, breakout hit Direct Deposit, and investigative documentary Fiasco with three nominations each, including Podcast of the Year.
Check out our selection of nominees below, then tune in on March 7 for the winners. The awards ceremony, held at Las Vegas's International Theater from 6 to 7:30 p.m. PST, will be streamed live on the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch. View the full list of nominations here. Congratulations to all of the honorees!
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Nominated for: Podcast of the Year, Best Interview Podcast, Best Podcast Host
Chad Sanders on money, identity, and freedom.
Nominated for: Podcast of the Year, Best History Podcast, Best Society & Culture Podcast
Nominated for: Podcast of the Year, Best Fiction Podcast, Best Performer in Audio Fiction
Go behind the scenes of Moriarty with Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd.
Nominated for: Best Podcast Host
Nominated for: Best Documentary Podcast
Kevin Hart and Charlamagne Tha God’s SBH productions present their debut Audible Original, Finding Tamika. Join actress and activist Erika Alexander in a neo-noir documentary as she searches for Tamika Huston, a 24-year-old Black woman from Spartanburg, SC who went missing in 2004. Her case became a rallying cry for other missing Black women in America and led to a growing demand to expose a system that ignores missing girls and women of color. A masterful soundtrack and riveting narration propel this true crime podcast into an unforgettable call to action.
Nominated for: Best Documentary Podcast
Tucked away amongst snow-covered mountains is a tiny Australian town with a dark secret. Journalist Patrick Abboud hears whispers that it was once home to the world’s only "gay prison," one that specifically incarcerated gay men. Abboud's investigation into what happened there—a queer true crime journey that takes listeners from underground nightclubs to remote parts of New Zealand and England—reveals the full story of a covert government operation whose mission was to eradicate society's "greatest menace": homosexuality.
Nominated for: Best Comedy Podcast
Created and written by Nate Odenkirk and his father, Bob Odenkirk, Summer in Argyle is proudly Audible’s second best murder comedy. This offbeat Audible Original features some of today’s biggest comedy stars, like David Cross (Arrested Development), Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave), Paul F. Tompkins (Comedy Bang! Bang!), plus Carl Tart, Stephanie Courtney, Lyric Lewis, Stephanie Hsu, and more. Summer in Argyle is like listening to an old-time radio theatre show soaked in silly and blended with absurdity to produce a perfect froth of nonsense.
Nominated for: Best Knowledge, Science or Tech Podcast
Actor and environmental campaigner Cate Blanchett and clean technology expert Danny Kennedy explore eco-anxiety, optimism, and hope in the age of climate change, traveling the world in search of the most exciting green energy initiatives addressing the crisis. From a Navajo solar farm in the Arizona desert to renewable technology embraced by Filipino fisherfolk, Cate and Danny offer uplifting stories of ingenuity and resilience as some of the world’s leading experts discuss how humankind can tackle our biggest environmental challenge.
Nominated for: Best Fiction Podcast
Vintage Hollywood drama made anew.
Nominated for: Best Society and Culture Podcast
In Love Right Now, we hear stories from people living in the Middle East today who risk everything for love. From the queer daughter of an Iraqi diplomate in Saudi Arabia to the illegitimate adult children of a Muslim woman and Christian man in Lebanon, they are people who have the courage to live loudly and authentically. Narrated by international actress and human rights activist Yasmine Al Massri, this powerful and deeply moving podcast is a beacon of hope for those on the margins of love in the Middle East and everywhere.
Nominated for: Best Scriptwriting, Fiction
There's not a weak point in this terrifying audio drama from The Walking Dead's Travis Beacham. The cast works spectacularly together to create a compelling environment, which is heightened by the chilling, otherworldly sound design. The end result is a groundbreaking scripted series that melds several classic tropes—vampires, a post-apocalyptic winter—while delivering an eerily fresh, ultra-cinematic audio experience.
Nominated for: Best Production and Sound Design
Music has the power to make us feel good, but did you know that listening to the right frequency can support better sleep or lower stress and anxiety? Brandon Green, a.k.a. Maejor, has collaborated with top talent such as Justin Bieber, Drake, Frank Ocean, Ciara, and T-Pain, and now he’s bringing you an innovative journey through sound and healing. Each episode invites listeners to meditate musically with topics covering love, DNA repair, stress, and more, for a fascinating deep dive into the surprising benefits of intentional frequency.
